To better understand how humans interact with their environment.
Students will explore the concepts of ecosystem integrity and biological
diversity and the interdependence of all life, and they will explore
current major environmental issues, their causes and possible solutions.

Class type:

Elective

Time:

2 hours

Optimal season:

All seasons

Materials:

No special materials needed.

Expected outcomes:

The student will gain a basic understanding of

the many ways that human life is inextricably linked with that
of all other species to a greater or lesser degree.

how our human-devised habitats only seem to separate
us from the natural processes of ecosystems.

the origins of the cultural value systems that have allowed
us to disregard the ecological costs of doing business, and know
how and why these need to be addressed for humans to become environmental
stewards as much as "guests at the table"

behaviors that humans could develop in the face of our inevitable
ignorance of the complexities of the earth's ecological processes.

why we need to assess and factor in ecological costs and understand
the environmental economics concept of diminishing returns.

West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Outline

Title:

HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Time:

2 hours

Human life and survival inextricably linked with the environment

Humans are subject to the primary limiting factors affecting all
species such as carrying capacity (i.e. population thresholds);
water, food and energy availability; pollution, competition, cooperation,
climatic factors

Discuss ecosystem services, how humans depend on them and their
primary sources, ecosystem integrity; and biological diversity

Energy cycling, nutrient cycling, and the water cycle are the
engines maintaining ecosystem integrity and biodiversity; conversely
fuel for these engines is in part derived from ecosystems in a dynamic
cyclical pattern

Historical perspective of the human footprint upon the earth

Pre-historical extinctions due to over-harvesting (i.e., large mammals
during Ice Age)